Barbara Morrison
Member of Faith United Presbyterian Church
Barbara E. “Betsy” Morrison, 75, of Washington, died Wednesday, September 11, 2013, in the intensive care unit of UPMC-Montefiore, Pittsburgh. Though in declining health, her death was unexpected.
She was born January 13, 1938, in Washington, a daughter of the late George E. Sr. and Muriel Flur Miles.
Mrs. Morrison was a 1955 graduate of Trinity High School and attended Washington & Jefferson College, from 1972 until 1986, majoring in accounting.
In her teens, she joined the First United Presbyterian Church and later transferred her membership to Faith United Presbyterian Church, both in Washington.
Before marriage, she was employed full time at National Bank. While raising her children, she held many part-time positions, including teacher’s aid for McGuffey School District and office assistant for Black Top Paving Co. For the last 20 years of her professional life, she worked as business manager for Citizens Library and Washington County Library System.
She served within numerous organizations within the community, including Business and Professional Women’s Club, where she was treasurer for two years, Friends of the Citizens Library treasurer for eight years, Current Events Club member for 11 years, Washington Area Literacy Council treasurer for seven years and Washington County Historical Society member for 20 years. She was the first treasurer of the Washington Literacy Council. She supported a variety of local and national charities.
Coming from a family who loved to sing hymns and standard old songs as part of get-togethers, she often sang these songs by heart as she worked around the house or traveled on vacation. Before she returned to work full time, she taught piano lessons to beginners.
Mrs. Morrison was artistic. She handmade her daughter’s school clothes and taught them how to knit and sew. She particularly enjoyed coloring, drawing and reading to her grandchildren, making for many happy stay overs. She made certain her daughters were prepared for piano lessons. She enjoyed yearly vacations, mostly to beaches, with her family and grandchildren. She was a collector of dolls, mostly from the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s, including Dolls of the World and Barbies. Her liking for dolls, as well as an appreciation of antiques and collectibles, resulted in her business called Betsy’s Doll Rooms, which she managed with her husband during the last 10 years of retirement. She housed her business at Route 19 Antiques and Collectibles and Black Rose Antiques. Throughout life, she was an avid reader, especially of the daily newspaper, magazines of many interests, and biographies. She loved flowers and trees and planted them wherever she lived, leaving space for her favorite wildflowers. Her home decor reflected wonderfully on the outdoors, flowers, dolls and her family.
In all of her endeavors, familial and professional, she was reserved, dedicated, caring and competent. Her husband, especially, as well as her daughters, grandchildren and those who knew her best will long delight in the recollection of her well timed and very sharp wit.
On October 29, 1956, with the Rev. Charles Graham officiating in the First United Presbyterian Church in Washington, she married Donald H. “Howard” Morrison, who survives.
Surviving, in addition to her husband, are three daughters, Melissa Morrison of Washington and Susan Morrison and Barbara (Wesley) Blumfeldt, both of Pittsburgh; two sisters, Linda (Gilmore) Stough of Washington and Jeanette (Ray) Davis of Denver, Colo.; five grandchildren, George Raynovich III, Nathan Calvert, Ellen (Ben) Aul, Miranda Calvert and Madelyn Blumfeldt, and a great-granddaughter, Aubrey Aul.
Deceased are a granddaughter, Megan E. Calvert; a brother, George E. Miles Jr.; and a sister, Virginia R. Dougherty.
All services were private. Interment will be held in Washington Cemetery. Piatt and Barnhill Funeral Directors Inc., Charles R. Piatt, owner/supervisor and Lawrence K. Donovan, director